US and Iran Exchange Stark Warnings as Tensions Rise; USS Abraham Lincoln Moves Closer to Region

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the United States that Tehran would "fire back with everything we have" if it came under renewed attack, in an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal. The statement came a day after President Donald Trump reiterated hardline warnings toward Iran.

What Araghchi Said

Araghchi framed his remarks as a reality rather than an empty threat, stressing his personal aversion to war. He wrote:

"Our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack."

He warned that an all-out confrontation would be ferocious, likely long-lasting, and would "engulf the wider region" with consequences for ordinary people globally.

US Statements and Military Movement

President Trump repeated an earlier remark that Iran could be "wiped off the face of this earth" if it ever succeeded in assassinating the US leader. In a NewsNation interview he said, "I have very firm instructions. Anything happens, they’re going to wipe them off the face of this earth."

Meanwhile, ship-tracking data shows the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln passed through the Strait of Malacca and is currently in the Indian Ocean. While US defence officials have not publicly confirmed the carrier strike group is headed to the Middle East, its position places it only days away from the region.

Iranian Military Response Rhetoric

Responding to potential threats against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Iranian General Abolfazl Shekarchi was quoted by state media as warning that Tehran would retaliate decisively if attacked, saying such retaliation would leave adversaries "no safe haven in the region."

Domestic Unrest in Iran

At home, Iran continues to grapple with large antigovernment protests that authorities say have been violent. Human rights groups are still trying to verify casualties; the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 4,519 people killed and over 26,300 arrested. An Iranian official told Reuters that authorities had verified roughly 5,000 deaths, including about 500 security personnel, blaming "terrorists and armed rioters." Al Jazeera and other outlets say they cannot independently verify the full toll.

Amid internet shutdowns, videos that have emerged appear to show security forces using live fire against apparently unarmed protesters — a concern not addressed in Araghchi’s Journal piece.

Regional Diplomacy and Risks

Last week Iran briefly closed its airspace amid concerns about possible strikes, while diplomats from Middle Eastern states — particularly Gulf Arab countries — reportedly lobbied the White House against military action. Analysts warn that rhetoric and troop movements increase the risk of miscalculation and a wider regional confrontation.

Outlook

Both sides have issued stark warnings. The situation remains fluid: whether tensions de-escalate will depend on diplomatic engagement, on-the-ground military decisions, and how both capitals manage rhetoric and deterrence. Independent verification of protest casualties and transparent reporting on military movements will be critical for international understanding of the risks ahead.